SOCCER: Fontana's Edu shows worth, Dempsey and Bradley return

When Philadelphia acquired Fontana native Maurice Edu in the offseason, it was with the hopes of adding some grit and experience in the midfield. Union officials likely did not expect to add some scoring punch.

After five weeks, though, Edu is showing his worth on both ends of the field. Edu has added some bite in the midfield but is also contributing offensively. Edu scored the game-tying goal - in second-half stoppage time no less - in Philadelphiaâs 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake on Saturday. It was the second goal for Edu this season, and the second in as many games.

Edu also wore the captainâs armband for the first time with Philadelphia, donning it after captain Brian Carroll left the game in the second half.

âItâs important for guys to all assume a leadership role,â Edu told the teamâs Web site. âItâs important to not just have one leader on the pitch but 11. Everybody has got to have that mentality to win.â

Edu earned a call-up to the U.S. national team for a friendly against Mexico earlier this month and played the final 18 minutes in the 2-2 draw. Philadelphia will visit StubHub Center twice this year and both matches will come within a six-day span. However, with any luck Edu will not be at either. Philadelphia visits the Galaxy on May 25 and Chivas USA on May 31, but if Edu makes the World Cup roster, the will be with the U.S. preparing for the World Cup by then.

BRADLEY, DEMPSEY RETURNS MOSTLY POSITIVE

When the U.S. national team played Mexico, all but one of the American squad played for MLS clubs.

Whereas before that may have meant a weakened roster, this time around the squad included most of the teamâs key players, including Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley.

With the World Cup inching closer by the day, having Dempsey and Bradley a part of MLS has been both a boon for the national team and its World Cup preparations, but also has featured a tinge of worry.

Bradley missed Toronto FCâs match on Saturday due to a quadriceps injury. Bradley has normally been injury-free but the increased travel demands in MLS makes him more susceptible to injury. In fact, it was Bradleyâs travel schedule that âkilled him,â Toronto FC coach Ryan Nelsen told reporters.

Dempsey has remained injury free, though he was suspended for two matches last month.

However, most everything else about the duoâs play to MLS has been positive. Dempsey leads the league in goals with six while Bradley has been credited with turning around a moribund Toronto FC franchise. Having both of them in the league not only helps boost MLSâs profile, which is particularly important in a World Cup year, but also helps U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann keep a closer watch on two of his top players.

In the blink of an eye, June 16 and a World Cup date with Ghana will be here and having had Bradley and Dempsey prepare for the immensely-critical match by playing in MLS will have paid off well.

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